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The Woori Way

Not just another martial arts school

Inside the dojang, (Korean for the training hall or school),
the shout of “ki-yap!” rings like thunder. It is the shout of little students,
wearing their white Woori Academy uniforms, practicing their kicks and punches
under the watchful eye of their instructors Headmaster Kwan Pil Kim and Master
Hyo Min Lee.

“Ki-yap!” another student yells, executing a front snap kick.

“Ki-yap!” yet another yells as Master Kim smiles in a way
that says, “well done.”

Master Lee’s enthusiasm and smile are also infectious as she seeks
to bring out the best in each and every student—children and adults alike.

“Good job,” says Master Kim as he slaps a high-five with one
of his young students who is filled with a sense of accomplishment.

A lot is accomplished around Woori: Little boys and girls
grow in self-esteem. A shy child gains confidence. Children learn self-respect
and respect for others.

Woori students learn how to get along well with others. To
overcome their fears. The joy of hard work. The ability to set goals and to reach
them. They also learn excellent skills in Taekwondo and more. So much more.

“It has given my children confidence, made them more
responsible and given them a true sense of accomplishment, not just a feeling,
but true pride,” said a mother of two budding students, now almost black belts
and who began studying under Master Kim more than two years ago.

“Woori also has a great family atmosphere. My children have
made good friends,” the mother said. “It's been gratifying and a good feeling
watching them grow and develop in taekwondo.”

“They’re not just learning about kicking and blocking and
breaking. But they’re learning about respect and accomplishing their goals.”

With stellar qualifications in taekwondo and hapkido, Master Kim and Master Lee are gentle, caring teachers who continue to raise and set
the bar for high achievement.

Woori accepts students as young as 5, and also teaches adult
classes, which meet separately from the child classes. With schools in
Matteson, Ill., and Evergreen Park, Woori holds classes five days a week with
adult classes taking place in the evening. (Please see schedule.) And while the
martial arts is an excellent workout, and many a student seeking to lose weight
as a result of their enrollment in Woori have witnessed good results, what
students learn at Woori is first-rate self-defense in an art that is now
recognized as an Olympic sport.

Woori Academy is affiliated with the World Taekwondo Federation, also known as Kukkiwon, which is the worldwide international
governing body of taekwondo. Both Master Kim and Master Lee have certifications
from Kukkiwon and bring a world of knowledge, skill and accomplishment to Woori
Academy. Make no mistake. They are the real deal. And there is no better place
to learn the martial arts than Woori Taekowndo and Hapkido Academy.

A routine practice at Woori is a spinning, kicking and
high-flying, high-energy affair. And whether students are executing round kicks
and side kicks or simply practicing their forms to perfection, what is always
clear is that Woori is a fun place to learn the ancient and proven Korean
martial arts.

Inasmuch as Woori is filled with smiles and a sense of fun
and learning, it is clear too that when school is in, it’s serious
business.

Teaching children self-discipline, respecting others as well
as themselves and about the principles of the martial arts, including nonviolence
and tolerance, Woori Academy promotes the development of the whole student. Not
only does Master Kim and Master Lee and all Woori instructors teach and embrace
these principles, they live by them.

As another practice concludes, students gather in a circle
after having exchanged handshakes with their fellow students and instructors.